Boy narrates his sister's murder by lover

ISAIAH MOREWAGAE
Staff Writer | Friday October 8, 2010 00:00

The boy told the court that he was present when his sister, Tshegofatso Phelelo was bludgeoned to death by her lover Benny Motswasele. The boy told court that he witnessed Motswasele hitting Phelelo on the head with a 9mm pistol.

'I was in the sitting room when I saw Motswasele removing a pistol from a bag and hit my sister on the head', the boy said.

He added that afterwards, Motswasele dragged Phelelo by the feet into the bedroom where the fight continued. He told court that the incident happened around 1500hours on January 26th last year.

He told court that he had just arrived home from school when Motswasele arrived at his family home. He told court that Motswasele waited for his sister in the sitting room. 'While still waiting, Motswasele sent me to the kitchen for a cup of water', the boy said.

He added that whilst in the kitchen, he heard his sister shouting, 'why are you closing the door Benny'. He told court that he immediately rushed out of the kitchen to find Motswasele and his sister fighting for the door, which was half closed.

'I found Benny sitting by my sister on the sofa and hitting her on the head with the pistol', the boy said. He added that at that point he was frightened and cried before he rushed out with other house occupants to nearby homes.

'I thought maybe he was going to murder me', the boy said. The boy further said he heard his sister screaming for help when he was at the gate.

Motswasele in cross-examination tried to discredit the young boy's testimony, however the boy stood the test of time. It was not long before Motswasele conceded that he was not getting anywhere and asked to be allowed to seek the services of an attorney.

However, Judge Isaac Lesetedi dismissed Motswasele's request right away.

'You had ample time to engage a legal representative but failed to utilise that opportunity. Your right to legal representation is not absolute', Lesetedi said.

He went on to remind Motswasele that the interests of justice require that the case be tried in reasonable time and 'I so order. I am going to put it on record that I deny you this opportunity', Lesetedi stressed.

Motswasele had told the court that at the time of the incident, he was staying in the United Kingdom where he was in his one and half years of study towards a law degree. He told court that he was also working as a personal assistant to Peter Abbs who he said was working for Reuters News network. Motswasele, a former police officer is charged with a single count of murder, contrary to Section 202 of the Penal Code CAP 08;01 of the Laws of Botswana. He allegedly stabbed 24-year-old Tshegofatso Phelelo, his girlfriend, with a sharp instrument at a house in Phokoje Location in Gaborone in January, after the two had a misunderstanding.

Keletso Kgathi and Kaone Dimeku are appearing for the State while Motswasele is representing himself.